Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
brooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
calls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
clean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
composed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
conclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
curate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
feelings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
hastened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
hide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
imagined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
lestconjunctionUS /lest/
in order that something should not happen
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
pointedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
purposely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
rector
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
scandal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
sick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
sweep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
whispering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.